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Cook: World Championships shows what Australia must deliver for Brisbane 2032
Olivia Parker • November 23rd, 2025 2:28 pm
The Beach Volleyball World Championships have taken over The Drive in Adelaide, turning the city centre into one of the loudest sporting venues in the country. Fans from around the world have come to support, creating an atmosphere that even Olympic great Natalie Cook says rivals the Games.
For the five-time Olympian and Sydney 2000 gold medallist, this event isn’t just a success it’s a blueprint.
“This is Australia’s biggest ever beach volleyball event,” Cook said, watching the fans roll in for the semi-finals action.
With 48 men’s teams and 48 women’s teams, she notes the World Championships actually exceed Olympic scale. And the international noise from Brazilian drums to Latvian and Swedish chants instantly took her back.
“It brings up memories,” she laughed. “Some of those Brazilian chants give me PTSD. But it’s unreal to see how global this has become.”
To Cook, Adelaide is showing exactly what Australia can produce ahead of Brisbane 2032: a slick, athlete-centric event with real atmosphere and genuine connection to fans.
“People think 2032 is a long way off,” she said. “It’s not. We’re one Olympic Games away. Our sport presentation is strong. Our athletes look fantastic. And a lot of sports look to beach volleyball as the benchmark.”
Even the small details matter, she says from the tone of the DJ to how fan zones are designed. “It all shapes the athlete experience. And if you get that right, the crowd will follow.”
Cook believes Australia now needs more events like this at home if athletes are going to be ready for the pressure of competing in Brisbane. The crowd is a boost, but it also brings distractions, friends wanting tickets, family wanting to celebrate, messages coming in nonstop.
“Athletes need reps in that environment,” she said. “You can’t learn it overseas.”
With Brisbane 2032 approaching, Cook is also part of the committee helping shape which new sports make the cut. Decisions are coming soon. “Some sports will be very, very happy,” she said. “Some will be very, very sad.” Cricket, squash, flag football and lacrosse are among those fighting for a place.
But through all the planning, she keeps coming back to one non-negotiable: everything begins with the athletes. “If you get the athlete experience right, the whole event lifts.”
As the Beach Volleyball World Championships roll on through the weekend, Cook sees Adelaide as proof that Australia can deliver big not just for this tournament, but as a preview of the Olympic era ahead.
“Adelaide has shown what’s possible,” she said. “Now Brisbane needs to take it even further.”
